NEW DELHI: With Kerala heading towards Assembly elections, the ruling Left government on Tuesday refrained from spelling out its stand on the entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala Temple, saying it would decide after consultations and when the Supreme Court seeks its response.Facing sustained pressure from the opposition, states law minister P Rajeev and Devaswom minister V N Vasavan said the apex court had only constituted a larger bench to examine review pleas and had not yet asked the state government to clarify its position. “We have always been with the devotees. There is no doubt about it. We will never stand against devotees,” Vasavan told reporters, but avoided directly answering whether the government would support or oppose women’s entry, reported PTI.He said arguments in the matter would begin in April and that the government would inform the court of its stand after necessary consultations.Rajeev echoed the position, noting that the court would first examine whether it had the authority to intervene in traditional ritualistic practices at places of worship. “So, it is illogical to ask the government to announce its stand at this juncture,” he said, according to PTI. The minister added that the SC had indicated it would consider review pleas only after addressing seven fundamental questions, giving the government time to consult constitutional experts and scholars before taking a decision.The issue has resurfaced as a political flashpoint in poll-bound Kerala, with the Congress and BJP demanding clarity from the CPI(M)-led government, which had earlier backed the implementation of the 2018 verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the shrine – a move that had sparked widespread protests across the state.CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby also avoided a categorical reply. He said that if the government wished to clarify its stand, it would hold discussions and take an appropriate decision. Referring to the earlier unrest, he said any decision must be taken after due deliberations and that no steps should lead to avoidable social tensions.The controversy regained momentum after the Supreme Court on Monday reopened the matter, announcing that a nine-judge bench would begin final hearings on petitions relating to discrimination against women in religions and places of worship, including Sabarimala.Under pressure from Hindu caste organisations and opposition parties, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government has maintained that the issue involves constitutional complexities and that it would adopt an appropriate stand after discussions. The opposition has urged the government to file a revised affidavit in the apex court clarifying its position.
